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LEC Spring 2026
Overview
The LEC Spring 2026 (full name: League of Legends EMEA Championship 2026 Spring) is the second split of the 2026 LEC season for the game League of Legends. It is an S-Tier regional tournament organized and operated by Riot Games. The event features the ten partnered LEC organizations competing for qualification to the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and the 2026 Esports World Cup. Matches are held offline primarily at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, Germany, with additional roadtrip venues in Madrid, Spain, and Paris, France.
History
The LEC Spring split forms part of the unified EMEA professional league that began in 2019. The 2026 season marks the fourth year of this structure, following the LEC Versus pre-season event in January–March 2026. The Spring split has historically served as a key qualifier for international competition, with format adjustments over the years to include roadtrips and Fearless Draft (no champion repeats within a series). The 2026 edition continues the established split structure while incorporating updated roadtrip venues.
Format
The tournament consists of two stages:
- Regular Season (March 28 – May 10, 2026): 10 teams play a single round-robin in best-of-three matches using Fearless Draft. Each team plays nine series. The top six advance to playoffs.
- Playoffs (May 23 – June 7, 2026): Double-elimination bracket with best-of-five matches (also Fearless Draft). The top four seeds start in the upper bracket; fifth and sixth seeds start in the lower bracket.
All matches are offline. The champion and runner-up qualify for the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational (champion to bracket stage, runner-up to play-ins). The champion also qualifies for the 2026 Esports World Cup.
Notable Editions
As of May 15, 2026, the 2026 Spring split is ongoing, with the regular season having concluded on May 10. Roadtrip events in Madrid and Paris added international flair to the league. High-profile series included early matchups such as Karmine Corp vs. Team Vitality and later standout performances by players like Jackies (multiple Player of the Series awards).
Past Champions
The 2026 Spring split has not yet concluded. Playoffs begin on May 23, 2026. No champion has been determined.
Viewership & Impact
The LEC Spring 2026 is broadcast primarily on Twitch (twitch.tv/lec) and the official LoL Esports YouTube channel, continuing the league’s strong presence in the European esports ecosystem. As a premier regional league under Riot Games, it serves as a vital pipeline for talent to international events like MSI and Worlds. The split’s roadtrip format enhances fan engagement across EMEA. Specific concurrent viewership figures for 2026 have not been publicly detailed in available sources, but the event maintains S-Tier status with consistent high-level competition among established organizations.